Michael Eugene “Mick” Rydquist, 71, who set the standard as a husband, father, Papa, and friend, died Monday, February 26, 2024. After a hard-fought battle with cancer, managed with great optimism, faith and humor, Mick completed his journey at home, surrounded by loved ones, and with every bit of dignity and self-respect he desired.
Mick was born on November 30, 1952, to Ellnette and Kenneth Rydquist in Oberlin, Kansas. Oberlin afforded him the certainty of small-town life where he spent his younger years wrestling in the living room with his older brother, Rick, to decide whether they would watch Fury or Looney Toons, swimming at the local pool, calling his mom at work multiple times a day, playing outside with the Waldo and Wenger boys until the 6 o’clock whistle, and routinely being dragged out of church each Sunday for talking. He attended and graduated from Decatur Community High School participating in eight-man football, golf and wrestling, and earned the title of both class comedian and class president. Time outside of school was spent honing his keen interest in car mechanics, working for the county, and gleaning the “how to fix or repair everything” skills from his dad.
Mick would have wholeheartedly agreed that his life truly didn’t begin until the Fall of 1971 during his sophomore year as a biology major at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. That was when he made the pivotal decision to attend the Terrible Swedes new student mixer for the incoming freshmen and somehow impressed Cathy Jean Olson (Cooker) by winking at her from the balcony. Call it love at first sight, call it fate or destiny, but Mick and Cooker had a love that was written in the stars, and after that night, they were never apart. Mick pulled off some premier moves to make sure that they stayed that way, like working (on the sly) as a dishwasher in the college cafeteria to buy Cooker a ring, and becoming a yell leader just to cheer alongside her. Mick and Cooker were married May 17, 1974, at the Covenant Church in Lindsborg. They spent their first year in Lindsborg while Mick, scoping out areas of the medical field, worked as a surgical orderly in a Salina hospital and Cooker finished her degree in Education.
In May of 1975 they made a brief move to Stark, Kansas, where Mick worked side-by- side running bulldozers with Cooker’s father, Nels, further cementing an extraordinary bond, and an enviable relationship, between son and father- in-law.
By July of 1975, the newlyweds were living in Kansas City, Kansas, where Mick would pursue “this brand new program” that had been suggested to him by a dear friend of theirs from Bethany, Paula Burnham Simonich. Mick was accepted into the E.M.I.C.T. program that was then at KU Medical Center, where he received the Norman E. McSwain Award for Outstanding Student Performance. In August of 1977, he was hired by the Kansas City Kansas Fire Department as a paramedic, joining the K.A.R.E Ambulance team, and committing to a life serving others that would continue for almost 33 years. Going to work was like going to camp for Mick; enjoying the camaraderie of his brothers and sisters at the firehouse, hearing their life stories, and sharing, participating in, and often leading all of the antics only a firehouse can offer. Coworkers looked forward to having him on shift not just for his jovial spirit, but also because Mick was known for being an exceptionally skilled and professional medic in the field.
Mick was the true definition of a renaissance man. He could build anything, and had plenty of experience taking things apart, as evidenced by the Walkman that he re-built at least 15 times and went running with daily for years. He had an incredible memory, rarely missed an answer on Jeopardy, and always nurtured his interest in science and biology.
Mick flooded the world with optimism and positivity, even through his cancer diagnosis, just by being himself. He remained good-natured through all eight years of treatment, making dear friends with his distinguished oncologist, while providing endless entertainment for all at KU Westwood.
Mick would have never thought of himself as an “influencer”, but he quietly mentored and inspired so many just by being supportive of their goals. He could make you feel encouraged just by asking how you were doing, and he had the inimitable ability to set anyone at ease. Mick will long be remembered for how authentic and genuine his interest was in every one of his conversations, and he was the guy you wanted standing next to you at any event. Mick made a lasting impression on everyone he met, from his friends at the gym, to the people at church, his breakfast crew, people he met at his grandkids’ sporting events, kids at his granddaughters' class parties, and most importantly, his family.
Mick, a seasoned homebody, did not need to travel the world to attain contentment. For him, that was found in the time spent with his family and friends, keeping all of the family cars in top and impeccably clean condition, talking about his grandkids (and loving and supporting them even more than he could possibly express by ever talking about them), completing the KC Star crossword puzzles twice a day (and reminding us of what a genius he was), and of course watching his esteemed Kansas Jayhawks.
Mick is survived by his wife Cooker, of the home, daughters Kërsten (Andy) and Keaton, granddaughters Kallie, Jaycee, Gretchen, and Georgia, grandson Jet, brother Rick and sister-in-law Cindy (John). He was preceded in death by his parents, Ellnette and Kenneth Rydquist, and Cooker’s parents, Phyllis and Nels Olson.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Should you desire, a memorial may be made to one of the following in Mick’s memory:
University of Kansas Cancer Center
Bethany College Lindsborg, Kansas
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City
The family would like to acknowledge and thank Dr. Gary Doolittle, Kristen Burkett, APRN-NP, and the KU oncology team who oversaw the entirety of Mick’s cancer journey. They provided immeasurable care and professional expertise that made his journey a meaningful final run. Rock Chalk!